Fragmento

Significant achievements in the field of toxoplasmosis research have increased immensely in the last few years. Now we know that Toxoplasma originated as a parasite in South America, and that we still have virulent strains predominating in this part of the world. At the same time, the most important drug that we use to treat pregnant women –spyramycin– has shown to have important shortcomings. It seems to have a positive effect only if given during the first weeks after seroconversion. This situation poses an enormous challenge to prenatal control programs since continuous follow-up and seroconversion detection in countries like Colombia with higher rates of infection but limited covertures of prenatal control are elusive goals. Beyond any dispute whether prenatal programs are indicated or not, it is of the outmost importance to identify more effective drugs. Nonetheless, prenatal treatment has two important limitations: drug arsenals proved to be innocuous to the foetus are scarce (ethical restraints to test new drugs have to be taken into account), and even potent anti-Toxoplasma therapy is administered too late to prevent any probable damage.

Palabras clave: Toxoplasmosis research.

2007-09-04   |   1,043 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 11 Núm.1. Mayo 2007 Pags. 4-35 Infectio 2007; Supl(1)